peace in our time

peace in our time
para bellum
the edge of a precipice
staring into the abyss
what stares back
hard times, hard rain
grubby hands hold the sticks
drummer boys beat the drum
tapping out the march
marching to a different beat
call for peace, prepare for war
closer to midnight
solitary voice of a person
claiming to be human
rings out
determined to end the war
before it starts
enough trouble
for whose life time
statesmen endeavouring
manage, contain war
others demand
violence, war is justified
the service of some greater good
power, greed, economics
you decide
war and peace remain
two sides of the same coin
to some
world without conflict
remains unthinkable
war must be mankind’s enemy
generation to generation
conscription and destruction
blood, bullets, bombs
time in pieces
peace love compassion understanding
values demanding a voice
are we ready
prepare for war
fight for peace
that elusive contradictory condition
peace in our time
make it real!